Stanford, October 19, 2023 — Stanford University's ice hockey team announced earlier this week the appointment of former NHL player Aaron Palushaj as Assistant Coach, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the young athletes. The Stanford Ice Hockey community eagerly anticipates a promising future as the club continues to lay important foundational pieces such as Palushaj.

Aaron Palushaj is a seasoned ice hockey player.  He played two seasons of NCAA hockey with the University of Michigan and climbed the professional ranks all the way to the NHL where he played for the Canadiens, Avalanche, and Hurricanes.  Palushaj's extensive knowledge and experience at the highest level of the sport, combined with his understanding of the student-athlete experience, are expected to greatly benefit the team and its players. "I'm excited about interacting with the players and seeing their progress throughout the season," Palushaj said.

Head Coach Alex Hult and Aaron Palushaj's paths crossed thanks to the hockey world's small but tightly-knit community. They were introduced through Joe Thornton, the legendary NHL player who Aaron played alongside in Europe. This connection eventually led to a strong friendship between Alex and Aaron, and they bonded over their shared love for the sport. Their Friday skates in San Jose and a mutual interest in restaurants became the building blocks of their camaraderie.  Head Coach Alex Hult had high praise for Aaron Palushaj, describing him as "one of the most technically skilled players I've been on the ice with."  When asked what makes Aaron a good coach, Hult responded, "Good people create good culture and breed success."

Aaron's transition to a coaching role exemplifies his passion for the sport and his desire to give back to the game by sharing his expertise with Stanford hockey players. "I truly love the game of hockey, so when the opportunity came up to join Stanford Ice Hockey as an assistant coach, I thought it could be really fun." 

Senior forward Joshua Kim is pleased with the appointment, saying that "Aaron brings a perfect combination of poise and energy to the bench that is really beneficial to the growth of the team. Our team is incredibly lucky to have this caliber of hockey experience from our coaches this season, and Aaron's background is a testament to this fact. His experience at the NCAA level gives our players a role model to look up to who has extensive experience with collegiate hockey."

In addition to his remarkable hockey career, Palushaj has a strong connection to Stanford University through his wife, who is a Neurology Fellow specializing in movement disorders.  "In order to have a thriving hockey community at Stanford that supports the team, it's extremely impactful to have people like Aaron with a personal connection to the Farm sharing their experience and getting involved," said Winston Adams, Director for Sport and Youth Programs.

Palushaj's addition to the coaching staff is expected to bring a fresh perspective, refined skills, and a winning mentality to the Stanford ice hockey team, setting the stage for a promising future.